PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nero Aurelius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateus Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Aurelius
vs
Gracie

187 cm
31
195 lbs
21 - 8 - 1

180 cm
31
192 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Hellbent

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nero Aurelius!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mateus Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aurelius shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Aurelius throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie works his way to full guard. Good work.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Aurelius pushes his legs off easily.
Aurelius being controlled here momentarily.
Aurelius throwing strikes but missing.
Gracie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aurelius throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie is trying to hold Aurelius in close to prevent damage but Aurelius has managed to pass into half guard.
Aurelius looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aurelius takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to improve his position but Aurelius is controlling well.
Gracie is looking to control Aurelius's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gracie avoid being mounted?
Aurelius prevents Gracie from improving his position.
Nice strikes from Aurelius there.
Aurelius is trying to control the action in half guard but Gracie is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Aurelius missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Aurelius working Gracie over with strikes.
Aurelius is trying to control. Gracie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Aurelius has control of the leg.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aurelius.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie manages to get to full guard.
Gracie working a defensive guard here.
Gracie working a defensive guard but Aurelius manages to pass into side control anyway.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aurelius lands a nice forearm strike.
Gracie sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Aurelius throwing shots but Gracie is blocking nicely.
Gracie keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Aurelius passes to full mount!
Gracie is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Aurelius lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Aurelius lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Aurelius avoids the attempt from Gracie to control.
Aurelius lands a heavy elbow.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gracie wants to control but Aurelius is having none of it.
Gracie is squirming around, avoiding Aurelius's attempts to control the action.
Gracie sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Aurelius trying to mount his opponent but Gracie defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie gets back to full guard.
Aurelius chips away with some ground and pound.
Aurelius lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Aurelius wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Aurelius trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie pulls Aurelius in to control the position.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Aurelius defends it easily.
Aurelius in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aurelius won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.

Gracie has his foot on Aurelius's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aurelius works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nero Aurelius dominated that round.
That's time! Aurelius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Aurelius throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gracie throws a leg kick
and Aurelius cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A head kick misses from Aurelius.
Aurelius cracks Gracie with a good jab.
Aurelius scores with a jab.
Gracie throws a leg kick

and Aurelius counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie gets back to full guard.

Aurelius stands up and waves to Gracie to follow him.
Aurelius fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gracie throws a leg kick but Aurelius sees it coming and moves out of range.
Aurelius thuds his right hand into Gracie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gracie wants to land a leg kick but Aurelius is out of range.
Gracie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Gracie finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gracie throws an overhand right that lands on Aurelius's shoulder, as Aurelius tries to avoid the shot.
A good leg kick by Gracie.
Gracie has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gracie there as he acknowledges the shot.
A low kick from Gracie misses

and Aurelius counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Aurelius avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Aurelius trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nero Aurelius overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aurelius won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Aurelius stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aurelius landing with the ground and pound.
Gracie looking to control.
Aurelius postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Aurelius pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Aurelius controlling him for the moment.
Aurelius loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Aurelius lands a couple of elbows.
Aurelius looking to pass the guard.
Gracie looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gracie is on top in guard.
Aurelius can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gracie controls the pace.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gracie controls from within his opponent's guard.
Aurelius pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
Aurelius working a defensive guard but Gracie passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is controlling the pace.
Gracie trying to advance position but Aurelius counters by regaining guard.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Aurelius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nero Aurelius dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Aurelius is just out of range.
Aurelius scores with a nice strike.
Aurelius tries to work over Gracie's front leg with a kick but Gracie checks it.
Aurelius stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gracie.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aurelius has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Aurelius there as he acknowledges the shot.
No joy there for Gracie, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gracie darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Aurelius does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Aurelius with a jab.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie lands with a thumping leg kick.
Aurelius throws out a leg kick but Gracie moves out of range and Aurelius only half commits.
Gracie fails with the takedown.
Gracie thows a leg kick but Aurelius checks it

and Aurelius counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gracie's guard now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gracie is on top in guard.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gracie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Aurelius has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Gracie trying to control but Aurelius is working from the bottom.
Gracie content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius working a defensive guard here.
Aurelius utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Aurelius working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Aurelius controlling the position.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Aurelius's guard.
Gracie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Aurelius is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius trying to control from the bottom.
Gracie is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Aurelius being controlled here, momentarily.
Gracie trying to control but Aurelius is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aurelius looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mateus Gracie was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Gracie moves out of range as Aurelius strikes.
Aurelius stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aurelius wants it to stay on the feet.
Gracie scores with a jab. Aurelius acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aurelius swivels and escapes.
Nero Aurelius has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateus Gracie.
Aurelius throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gracie on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aurelius bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A big left from Aurelius misses.
Gracie misses with a low kick.

Gracie decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Mateus Gracie just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Aurelius lands with a right hand.
Gracie feints and then cracks Aurelius's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Aurelius down.
Gracie throws a hook to the side of Aurelius's head but Aurelius sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie is looking to land body kicks.
A chopping leg kick lands by Aurelius.
Aurelius cracks Gracie with an open hand slap.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick and Aurelius moves out of range easily.
Gracie tries to move into range but Aurelius moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Aurelius misses with a body shot.
Gracie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Aurelius shoots in for a takedown but Gracie shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Aurelius lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gracie will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie misses with a leg kick
and Aurelius counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Aurelius goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Gracie is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelius misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aurelius tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gracie swivels and escapes.
Both fighters circling a little - Gracie finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gracie lands a head shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Aurelius darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nero Aurelius is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice straight punches there by Aurelius. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Aurelius.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aurelius is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Aurelius circles away and we're back to standing.
Aurelius throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Aurelius jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Aurelius swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aurelius looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Aurelius is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gracie misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aurelius throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie slaps away a takedown attempt from Aurelius, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nero Aurelius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Aurelius throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Aurelius tries to work over Gracie's front leg with a kick but Gracie checks it.
Gracie dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Aurelius. That did some damage!
A slapping body kick lands there for Gracie.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Aurelius on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Aurelius checks a leg kick.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gracie showed some decent athleticism there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gracie trying to advance position but Aurelius counters by regaining guard.
Aurelius working a defensive guard here.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Aurelius keeps moving.
Aurelius trying to keep a closed guard but Gracie is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to sit in guard and control but Aurelius gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Aurelius slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gracie manages to work his way to half guard, despite Aurelius's best efforts.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie tries to roll over but Aurelius keeps him under control.
Aurelius is just content to waste time from the top position. Gracie takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Nero Aurelius will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for Gracie.
Gracie takes a swing at Aurelius's ribcage but misses.
Gracie swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie delivers a nice body kick.
Aurelius throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gracie.
Aurelius lands a head kick!
Aurelius takes one to the side of the head.
Gracie misses with a body kick.
A clash of legs there as Aurelius blocks the low kick.
Aurelius goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Aurelius comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Aurelius is able to avoid easily.
Gracie walks into a stiff left hand from Aurelius.
Aurelius lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gracie throws a nice outside leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Gracie misses.
Aurelius lands a leg kick that knocks Gracie off balance momentarily.
A lazy left from Gracie finds it's target.
Gracie missing with a left hand there. Aurelius was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An inside leg kick from Gracie misses.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gracie looks to land a body kick but Aurelius moved away.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Aurelius throws a front kick that sends Gracie stumbling back into the cage.
Gracie's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gracie is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Gracie attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mateus Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aurelius throws a quick inside leg kick.
Aurelius lands with a right hand.
Aurelius lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracie's head.
Aurelius stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aurelius wants it to stay on the feet.
Aurelius ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Aurelius throws a nice inside leg kick.
That kick from Aurelius tenderised Gracie's leg. Gracie is trying to keep his angry face on.
Aurelius throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Aurelius smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Aurelius counters with a three punch combo that has Gracie backing up. Gracie nods at Aurelius to acknowledge the strikes.
Aurelius ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Aurelius moves out of range of the body kick from Gracie.
Aurelius checks a leg kick nicely.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with an uppercut
and Aurelius counters with a left to the body.
Gracie has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gracie there as he acknowledges the shot.
Aurelius moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gracie is still on wobbly legs! Can Aurelius finish him?
Gracie throws a nice head kick!
Aurelius throws a body kick that misses.
Gracie seems to have recovered his senses.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Nero Aurelius is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gracie misses with a right hand
and Aurelius connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A nice inside leg kick there by Aurelius. That's going to slow Gracie down.
Aurelius moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aurelius works over Gracie's head and body with a nice combination.
Aurelius slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie cracks the inside of Aurelius's front leg.
Aurelius clobbers Gracie with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Gracie scores with a push kick.
Gracie throws a leg kick that is checked

and Aurelius counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gracie!
Gracie gets back to half guard.
Aurelius stalling away here and it's allowed Gracie to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Aurelius preventing the sweep.

Gracie throws his legs up looking for a submission but Aurelius uses it to pass to side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie tries to bench press Aurelius off him but Aurelius keeps the position.
Gracie is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nero Aurelius showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Aurelius has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:46
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nero Aurelius!
Nero Aurelius retains his middleweight title!
Nero Aurelius decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.